Designat Auburn University
Graduates earn $46,585/yr in their first year — about 38.0% above the national Design average. Base-case 10-year earnings $562K; scenarios range from $525K to $569K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Auburn University
Auburn's Design and Applied Arts program consistently delivers strong career outcomes, suggesting a curriculum deeply attuned to industry demand. This isn't just about making pretty things; it likely emphasizes practical, problem-solving skills in areas like user experience (UX) design, product development, or digital brand strategy. Graduates frequently enter roles at marketing agencies, in-house design teams for regional corporations, or even specialized studios across the Southeast, leveraging a reputation for producing highly capable, job-ready professionals. While the broader field faces shifts with AI, the program's success points to a focus on critical thinking, human-centered design, and strategic application—skills that remain invaluable. To capitalize on this, prioritize building a portfolio that showcases your ability to solve real-world design challenges and actively pursue internships to establish industry connections.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Auburn University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Design
How Auburn University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Auburn University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Auburn University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Design offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Design trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Design at Auburn University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Design at Auburn University?
A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Design field.
Will AI replace Design careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $524,759 in decade earnings vs $568,584 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.